St Barbara advised that its Simberi Operations in PNG have been impacted by an illegal work stoppage initiated by a contingent of the workforce. For safety reasons, production was halted on 7 March 2018, while site management attempted to understand and resolve the stoppage. 40% of the workforce remained at work during the stoppage. To breach the impasse, site management informed the workforce that as the work stoppage was not in accordance with PNG law, any employees who did not present for work this morning could have their employment terminated. Until suspension of operations on 7 March 2018, the mine had produced 93,000oz of au this financial year, and it is expected that the mine will achieve full year production guidance of between 115,000 and 125,000oz of au.